Amidst dwindling security situation in the country and increasing spate of kidnapping on Abuja-Kaduna road, rich people plying the road have taken to train transportation over fear of being kidnapped, The Guardian gathered.

Rail, which more often than not was seen as a means of transportation for the low and middle class members of society, is now becoming a preferred means of transportation for high profile individuals plying the Abuja-Kaduna route for safety reasons.

It was learnt that VIPs now abandon their flashy cars to opt for rail service, as kidnappers along the route usually launch attack on unsuspecting victims driving Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

The Idu Yard Train station was filled to capacity yesterday, when this correspondent visited, as people rushed to catch the 1430hrs train ride to Kaduna. A passenger, Mrs. Oluwatosin Sonaike, said she didn’t want to be kidnapped.

“This is my first time going by train to Kaduna. I have heard of different atrocities being committed on the road. So, for safety reasons, I decided to opt for train,” she said.

Abuja Liaison Officer of Nigeria Railway, Paschal Nnorli, told The Guardian that very important people have always used the train as a means of transportation. He explained that the Former Senate President, David Mark and former Chief Judge, Justice Mahmud Mohammed have been using the train.